ERM – Equipping, Restoring and Multiplying

» (RE)Building a House Day 2

Bill, Evelyn, Dan, Joshua, and Debbie D. went back to the house and continued helping by carrying blocks and other supplies.  This house is actually a “duplex”.  The main side consists of one living room (8X15) with 2 small rooms (8X8) and a small kitchen (8X8).  The back side had another living room (8X8), one bed room (8X8), and a small kitchen (8X8).  They said she will be able to rent out the back side for about 20,000 Francs (about $40, 7-9 Days average labor).  This will greatly help her support and provide for her children.

Shortly after we arrived Debbie and Evelyn slipped around the corner of the building to the group of chldren that had gathered to watch the “Muzungus” work.  Minutes later laughter burst out from a group of about 15 kids.  They were yelling and laughing to the extent that we had to go look and see what was going on.  Debbie had pulled out a bottle of bubbles and was blowing them and the kids were running around bumping into each other to try and catch them.  Soon Debbie’s face was red because she couldn’t keep up blowing enough bubbles for the kids.  Meanwhile Evenlyn was pinning “Button Buddies” (Little crochet’d “muppet” type people) on all the kids.  She was also giving all the little girls scarves (she had to keep telling the boys that the scarves were for the girls).  She also gave out some punching balloons, which, of course were also a big hit).  The group quickly grew (with kids and their mothers) to the point at which we no longer could see either of them.  You would have thought they all just arrived at Disneyland.  It was great to watch the love of God bubble up and out of them and pour all over the people.  They did have to be moved away from the house a couple of times so we could continue our “labor” of love.  We made some great connection with the workers even though we had no interpreter.  I told the brick mason I was working with that he was the teacher and I was the student and he was very pleased that he could teach us something.  The district social services director then told me that he also said that the teacher was also learning from the student.  This made for a good time of working together.  Many of the workers as well as the kids and ladies were very appreciative and thanked us as we left.

It’s an amazing thing to see and be involved in.  Even the words seem hollow as I reread them.  So much more than words can describe.

Posted on Friday, September 26th, 2008